Sacred Monastery Simonos Petras

History

The Sacred Monastery of Simonos Petras, one of the twenty sovereign Sacred Monasteries on the Holy Mountain, has a history of nearly eight centuries, since its founding in in 1254 AD. It was founded by St Simon the Myrrh Exuding, and was later given his name as “The Petra (=Rock) of Simon” or “Simonopetra”. As a building complex, it is the boldest one on the Holy Mountain, a miracle of Byzantine and post-Byzantine architecture.

A generous donation, in 1368, by Serbian Despot, Ioannis Ugglesis, made possible the expansion and rehabilitation of the buildings, including, at that stage, towers, cells, a pier on the coast and auxiliary facilities. The principal Church, the Monastery’s Cathedral, was renovated and endowed with a multitude of material relics, icons, books, gold-embroidered items and rich ecclesiastical implements.

Simonopetra, during its long life, went through periods of distinguished material creativity and spiritual blossoming, particularly in the 14th, the 19th and 20th centuries; it was equally marked by disastrous events, such as the fires of 1580, 1622 and, particularly, that of 1891. While the 19th century ended with the saddening fact of the fire, the 20th century, thanks to the titanic endeavors of its abbot, Neophytos, was marked by the Monastery’s complete renovation and its return to its previous vigorousness.

Despite its adventures through history, the Monastery has, today, a significant collection of material relics, a very rich document archive (25 000 documents), a library (with 200 manuscripts and 5 000 printed books), significant holy relics and items related to and / or used for worship.

Furthermore, a fundamental factor in the presence and growth of the Monastery has proved to be its “metochia”, i.e., its administrative dependencies, founded in various places, in Greece and Romania. Today, the Monastery has seven such dependencies in Greece and three more in France.

Human Environment

The monasteries have been built in fortress-like fashion combining the monastic wish for a good distance from the lay world with the need to secure their vital space. Outside their walls and within the monastic establishment’s property a number of activities take place (including the pertinent facilities and buildings), some to aid the monks’ and the workers’ living conditions and others for the maintenance of the constructed facilities: gardens, fruit tree orchards, mills, water basins, fountains, fishing sheds, iron mongering shops, wood shops and all kinds of workshops, laborers’ quarters, stables, etc. These small complexes often took the form of a neighborhood, accessing the Monastery via old plain and cobble-stoned footpaths.

Nowadays, we see the old husbandry facilities, units for the production of building materials (lime, bricks), cultivations, water-managing facilities (watermill, olive press, wells, watering basins, water collection spots, man-built springs and fountains). All these activities are harmoniously integrated into the natural environment, following the latter’s rhythm, something that reflects on all facets of men’s lives, in a closer relationship with what we, in our days, call “ecosystem”.

Thus the Monastery’s entire property on the peninsula, constitutes its vital productive area, and includes, even today, activities that pertain to agriculture (vineyards, olive-tree orchards and the forest) and the required operational facilities for such, depending on their significance and their distance from the Monastery.

The architectural presence of the main Simonopetrite complex is characterized by newer buildings, those built from 1862 to 1902, harmoniously blending into the still surviving original nucleus. This monastic complex includes the Cathedral, the Library, the Sacristy, the chapels, and auxiliary facilities.

Monastery buildings include the ones outside the main complex, namely Cells and Monastic Seats near the complex and in the greater area.

Natural Environment – Ecological Peculiarities of Simonopetra’s Area

Simonopetra’s land is part of the Holy Mountain peninsula. Its area is an egg-like piece of land of 13km3 and a 4.8km long shoreline. Its natural appearance is directly influenced by the overall natural environment of the Holy Mountain, and it is representative of the Athonite flora and vegetation, as well as the fauna.

The entire peninsula of the Holy Mountain (Athos) is of great ecological significance. In addition to its multiple and varied ecosystems and the great number of endemic species, it is the only region of Greece that has not suffered the consequences of nomadic husbandry, of goats in particular. The ecosystems of the Holy Mountain have not remained totally unaffected by human intervention. Some have suffered considerable changes, as for example the chestnut forests, the formations of broad-leaved evergreen trees, but, nevertheless they still retain their native synthesis as far as variety goes.

Simonopetra’s region presents a particular environmental interest. Within it we find threezones of vegetation with great variety of species: the temperate Mediterranean zone of broad-leaved evergreens, the warmer-climate deciduous broad-leaved ones with mixed forests of oak,chestnut, linden trees, maple trees, fir trees and black pine and the zone of colder-climate deciduous broad-leaved ones with beech trees and mountain maple trees. Noteworthy are the xerothermic coastal rock formations of Europhorbia Dendroids, the ecosystems of Laurus Nobilis along the streams, and, in particular, along the stream of Daphnaras and downstream from the Monastery; as well as, on certain locations of higher areas, where the primitive form of the forest, in terms of the synthesis and structure of the species is found, with overage individual chestnut, oak, fir, shaking cottonwood, mountain maple, beech, etc. trees. These sections have been kept untouched, because, in a sense, they were so remote as to render lumbering too expensive; the new management plan proposes that such sections of the forest be preserved as natural reserves. Direct ecological interest is also ascribed to the ornithological fauna (see Poirozidis). 105 different species have been identified in the region of Simonopetra, 24 of which are protected per Directive 79/409 of the EC, about the preservation of wild birds. Indicative of the wide variety of the ornithological fauna in the region of Simonopetra is the fact that, on a yearly basis, 74% of the total – except the aquatic – species that make their appearance in the whole of our country, also appear here.

A generous donation, in 1368, by Serbian Despot, Ioannis Ugglesis, made possible the expansion and rehabilitation of the buildings, including, at that stage, towers, cells, a pier on the coast and auxiliary facilities. The principal Church, the Monastery’s Cathedral, was renovated and endowed with a multitude of material relics, icons, books, gold-embroidered items and rich ecclesiastical implements.

The monasteries have been built in fortress-like fashion combining the monastic wish for a good distance from the lay world with the need to secure their vital space. Outside their walls and within the monastic establishment’s property a number of activities take place (including the pertinent facilities and buildings), some to aid the monks’ and the workers’ living conditions and others for the maintenance of the constructed facilities: gardens, fruit tree orchards, mills, water basins, fountains, fishing sheds, iron mongering shops, wood shops and all kinds of workshops, laborers’ quarters, stables, etc. These small complexes often took the form of a neighborhood, accessing the Monastery via old plain and cobble-stoned footpaths.

Nowadays, we see the old husbandry facilities, units for the production of building materials (lime, bricks), cultivations, water-managing facilities (watermill, olive press, wells, watering basins, water collection spots, man-built springs and fountains). All these activities are harmoniously integrated into the natural environment, following the latter’s rhythm, something that reflects on all facets of men’s lives, in a closer relationship with what we, in our days, call “ecosystem”.

Thus the Monastery’s entire property on the peninsula, constitutes its vital productive area, and includes, even today, activities that pertain to agriculture (vineyards, olive-tree orchards and the forest) and the required operational facilities for such, depending on their significance and their distance from the Monastery.

The architectural presence of the main Simonopetrite complex is characterized by newer buildings, those built from 1862 to 1902, harmoniously blending into the still surviving original nucleus. This monastic complex includes the Cathedral, the Library, the Sacristy, the chapels, and auxiliary facilities.

Monastery buildings include the ones outside the main complex, namely Cells and Monastic Seats near the complex and in the greater area.

Despite its adventures through history, the Monastery has, today, a significant collection of material relics, a very rich document archive (25 000 documents), a library (with 200 manuscripts and 5 000 printed books), significant holy relics and items related to and / or used for worship.

Furthermore, a fundamental factor in the presence and growth of the Monastery has proved to be its “metochia”, i.e., its administrative dependencies, founded in various places, in Greece and Romania. Today, the Monastery has seven such dependencies in Greece and three more in France.

Structure and Operation of the Sacred Monastery of Simonos Petras

Institutional Frame

The operation of the Sacred Monastery of Simonos Petras is governed by the particular or exceptional status of the Holy Mountain.

The Greek State assumed sovereign power over the Holy Mountain in 1913; which Holy Mountain was then a pre-established self-governed monastic center, consisting of already existing legal entities, their special status becoming recognized by the Greek State. Thus, the pertinent article (number 105) of the Greek Constitution of 1927, as transliterated and in force today, specifically states that “the Holy Mountain is governed per its [existing] status”; it then refers to “the existing” “Hagiorite regimes”, “the precise adherence to which” is even specifically … “under the overseeing of the … Ecumenical Patriarchate … and the Greek State”.

Moreover, the Constitutional Charter of the Holy Mountain (CCHM), states verbatim (article 188) that, “it derives from the Imperial Gold-sealed Bulls, Patriarchal Siggiliα, Firmans by Sultans, General Regulations in force and ancient monastic Institutions and Regimes.

Thus, Article 1 of the CCHM can be thought of as the quasi-founding declaration for the establishment of the Sacred Monastery of Simonos Petras, “the sacredly named Mountain of Athos, comprises of twenty Sacred … Monasteries, such being, as it has always been, in the following hierarchical order … “.

As far as the type of legal personality of the Holy Mountain Monasteries, no specific reference is made in the CCHM, as, e.g., in the Constitutional Charter of the Church of Greece (to whose canonical jurisdiction the Holy Mountain does not belong). This is not due to some legal technical omission, but it rather reflects the general knowledge that the Holy Mountain cannot be included in any of the known categories of legal entities, because its legal character is entirely particular (suis generis) and relating to both the public and the private sectors.

Therefore, the Sacred Monasteries of the Holy Mountain, and the Sacred Monastery of Simonos Petras, in particular, is mainly, and for most of its activities with respect to Greek State, Legal Persons of Public Law1. Such, however does not exclude the establishment of Private Law relations, mainly with respect to issues of internal governance or of similar nature, and others of apparent peculiarity.

The pertinence / authority of the Sacred Monastery fo Simonos Petras to carry out projects, first of all, stems from the self-governance status of the Sacred Monasteries of the Holy Mountain (Art. 9 of the CCHM) and the management of its property in its entirety (Art. 13 of the CCHM).

Administrative Units of the Sacred Monastery.

The Body of the Elders
In accordance with the Constitutional Charter of the Holy Mountain, such is the highest administrative authority of the Sacred Monastery fo Simonos Petras, and it comprises of the Abbot and the Supervisors of the Sacred Monastery. With respect to project execution it has the position of a Supervisory Authority.(Regulatory Provision 448/2007, Gov’t Gazette 220A’/12.9.2007).
The Technical Service
It is responsible for the scheduling, development and carrying out of the Monastery’s projects and actions thereupon. As it relates to the execution of technical projects it has the position of the Administrative / Supervisory Authority (Regulatory Provision 448/2007, Gov’t Gazette 220A’/ 12.9.2007).
The Finance Service
It is responsible for the financial management of the projects.
Secretariat
It is responsible for the processing of all written documents from and to external parties, and file-keeping thereof.
Legal Advisor
He provides horizontal (legal) support to all scheduling, development and execution processes for projects / actions.

The entire peninsula of the Holy Mountain (Athos) is of great ecological significance. In addition to its multiple and varied ecosystems and the great number of endemic species, it is the only region of Greece that has not suffered the consequences of nomadic husbandry, of goats in particular. The ecosystems of the Holy Mountain have not remained totally unaffected by human intervention. Some have suffered considerable changes, as for example the chestnut forests, the formations of broad-leaved evergreen trees, but, nevertheless they still retain their native synthesis as far as variety goes.

Simonopetra’s region presents a particular environmental interest. Within it we find threezones of vegetation with great variety of species: the temperate Mediterranean zone of broad-leaved evergreens, the warmer-climate deciduous broad-leaved ones with mixed forests of oak,chestnut, linden trees, maple trees, fir trees and black pine and the zone of colder-climate deciduous broad-leaved ones with beech trees and mountain maple trees. Noteworthy are the xerothermic coastal rock formations of Europhorbia Dendroids, the ecosystems of Laurus Nobilis along the streams, and, in particular, along the stream of Daphnaras and downstream from the Monastery; as well as, on certain locations of higher areas, where the primitive form of the forest, in terms of the synthesis and structure of the species is found, with overage individual chestnut, oak, fir, shaking cottonwood, mountain maple, beech, etc. trees. These sections have been kept untouched, because, in a sense, they were so remote as to render lumbering too expensive; the new management plan proposes that such sections of the forest be preserved as natural reserves. Direct ecological interest is also ascribed to the ornithological fauna (see Poirozidis). 105 different species have been identified in the region of Simonopetra, 24 of which are protected per Directive 79/409 of the EC, about the preservation of wild birds. Indicative of the wide variety of the ornithological fauna in the region of Simonopetra is the fact that, on a yearly basis, 74% of the total – except the aquatic – species that make their appearance in the whole of our country, also appear here.

A generous donation, in 1368, by Serbian Despot, Ioannis Ugglesis, made possible the expansion and rehabilitation of the buildings, including, at that stage, towers, cells, a pier on the coast and auxiliary facilities. The principal Church, the Monastery’s Cathedral, was renovated and endowed with a multitude of material relics, icons, books, gold-embroidered items and rich ecclesiastical implements.

The monasteries have been built in fortress-like fashion combining the monastic wish for a good distance from the lay world with the need to secure their vital space. Outside their walls and within the monastic establishment’s property a number of activities take place (including the pertinent facilities and buildings), some to aid the monks’ and the workers’ living conditions and others for the maintenance of the constructed facilities: gardens, fruit tree orchards, mills, water basins, fountains, fishing sheds, iron mongering shops, wood shops and all kinds of workshops, laborers’ quarters, stables, etc. These small complexes often took the form of a neighborhood, accessing the Monastery via old plain and cobble-stoned footpaths.

Nowadays, we see the old husbandry facilities, units for the production of building materials (lime, bricks), cultivations, water-managing facilities (watermill, olive press, wells, watering basins, water collection spots, man-built springs and fountains). All these activities are harmoniously integrated into the natural environment, following the latter’s rhythm, something that reflects on all facets of men’s lives, in a closer relationship with what we, in our days, call “ecosystem”.

Thus the Monastery’s entire property on the peninsula, constitutes its vital productive area, and includes, even today, activities that pertain to agriculture (vineyards, olive-tree orchards and the forest) and the required operational facilities for such, depending on their significance and their distance from the Monastery.

The architectural presence of the main Simonopetrite complex is characterized by newer buildings, those built from 1862 to 1902, harmoniously blending into the still surviving original nucleus. This monastic complex includes the Cathedral, the Library, the Sacristy, the chapels, and auxiliary facilities.

Monastery buildings include the ones outside the main complex, namely Cells and Monastic Seats near the complex and in the greater area.

Despite its adventures through history, the Monastery has, today, a significant collection of material relics, a very rich document archive (25 000 documents), a library (with 200 manuscripts and 5 000 printed books), significant holy relics and items related to and / or used for worship.

Furthermore, a fundamental factor in the presence and growth of the Monastery has proved to be its “metochia”, i.e., its administrative dependencies, founded in various places, in Greece and Romania. Today, the Monastery has seven such dependencies in Greece and three more in France.

Interested in leaning more about simonopetra and Mount Athos?

Download for free the book written by Papadopoulos Stelios bellow.

Papadopoulos Stelios (ed.), Simonopetra, Mount Athos